A GYMN Level 1 Youth Strategy Training was held last May 28-30, 2010 at the Child Evangelism Fellowship Center in Antipolo City. This was hosted by YouthRED of the Lord Jesus Our Redeemer (LJOR) Church. Twenty-three participants from different parts of greater Manila area attended the training. This was the first GYMN training after the trending of a new Filipino youth culture popularized by the Jejemons- a group of young Filipinos who has a different and often difficult to understand system of writing text messages. Like the Jologs before, Jejemons have also widened their identity with the jejecap and other accessories. When the youth leaders were asked to describe the Filipino youth of today, the Jejemon was a highlight among the common descriptions.

The three-day seminar started with the discussion of the need for youth ministry. The participants devised purpose statements that will lead the young people in their local churches to know more about God and live a Christian life worthy of imitation by the younger generation. The participants agreed, as seen in their goal setting sessions, that it is good to create an atmosphere of love and acceptance in their youth ministry. A youth group that would make Jejemons and the rest of the Filipino young people feel loved and accepted for who they are.

This seminar was very special to me because: First, this was my first time to handle four sessions in a training, I usually handle two sessions only. Second, the participants gave us a warm welcome and the camaraderie among the youth leaders was very heart-warming. Third, the venue was in sunny Antipolo but I felt one of the first rainfalls of Amihan on the first day. Fourth, this was the first partnership of LJOR with GYMN Asia and I hope this will be the first of the many more trainings to come. Lastly, some participants were just so sweet- aside from writing good comments and testimonies in the evaluation sheet, they wrote letters for the trainers. Some participants suggested ways in how we can improve our teaching, some made notes of appreciation and some just made funny remarks like I looked like one of the characters from the TV series “Heroes”.

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Here are some highlights of the training:

A jejemon’s point of view on what is a disciple

Kris, one of the participants, attached an origami along with his letters for us.

The Young leaders of LJOR YouthRED

The Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels is a book published in 1908 by Charles Scribner’s Sons. It is a compilation of topics discussed in the Gospels, with corresponding Hebrew and Greek interpretations. This 100-year old book found a home in the GYMN Library last December 2009 when a Pakistani friend donated it along with dozens of other titles.

The GYMN Library is open for those who are looking for supplementary lessons and ideas for their ministry. The library has a compilation of books categorized as Youth Culture and Structure, Evangelism and Discipleship, Ministry Tools, Missions, Church and Leadership, Teaching Aids, Real-life Stories, Fiction, Bible Study Materials, Bible Translations and Bible Guides. For a minimum membership fee of PhP100.00 per year, you can borrow our books and audio-video materials here in the Philippines.

1.  Experience

Otet Macapagal largely contributed in the development of the Christmas catalog project. As the head graphic designer, he made outstanding contribution in the creation of the project. Volunteering in an organization can add up to your experience and expose you to areas that you can practice your expertise. In the creation of the catalog, Otet did not only support GYMN but he also enhanced his skills in designing materials such as catalogs. As a budding graphic designer, he can include this project in his portfolio and use the learning he gained from this experience.  Otet said, “If next time I will be asked to offer my assistance to GYMN, just let me know, hindi mapapalitan ang experience na ganun (an experience like this can never be replaced).” Another volunteer is Jonjon Bonso, an IT professional, who helped in this year’s launching of the GYMN-Asia website.  He supported in the migration from the blog to what is now the website.

2. Believing in the ministry

Nowadays, people stand up for various causes led by organizations that awaken awareness for cancer, poverty, hunger and animal rights. As Christians, we are also drawn to different ministries for youth, music, children and leadership. As volunteers for GYMN, they should primarily be convinced of the ministry’s vision and mission.  Rina Miralles said that “I truly believe in what the GYMN people are doing to train and equip the youth of our generation. I can say that the GYMN staff and supporters give their time, effort and financial support for the very reason of giving glory to God alone. We are all created for God’s kingdom.”  Jonjon Bonso said, “I volunteered because I believe in GYMN’s advocacy to train youth leaders, I see that the staff are authentic Christians.”

3.  Helping hands

The process of publishing and sending the Youth Connections newsletter consists of different steps. The process includes the writing of the article, then making the lay-out, revising, printing, folding of the newsletters, inserting them into envelopes, addressing and finally mailing. If a single person performs all these jobs, it would take him/her more than a day to finish. That’s where the help of some volunteers come in and this is just one of those activities we do here in GYMN. Nan Peña said that, “In a ministry like GYMN, there are many activities and some may even be big events, during these times a volunteer’s presence is needed to lessen some work loads. The impossible becomes possible with the Lord. The little help we give, when combined together becomes a great help.”

4.  Finding joy

When volunteering for any organization, your joy in supporting them must always be considered. The idea of giving one’s self, without expecting monetary benefits, becomes more rewarding when you find joy in doing it. Grace Malicdem is a part-time worker that assists in the making of monthly financial statements. She, however, offers assistance voluntarily on areas outside finance. She said, “I volunteer because there is joy in serving the Creator through GYMN and in seeing the youth growing in Christ.” Jessa Tomale, a new addition to the circle of volunteers said that, “I volunteer because I enjoy it and it’s a way of using my time well.”

5.  Fellowship and Encouragement

The group of volunteers with some GYMN staff also find time to meet at least once a month. They watch movies, eat-out and play card games. During these times, they simply talk about their jobs, ministries and concerns. In the sharing of failures and victories, each one is ministered and encouraged. Most of the volunteers are young professionals, thus, they can relate to each other’s struggles and experiences. Rina Miralles said, “Although we belong to different churches, we are united in Christ.”

In conclusion, most of the volunteers here, came to know GYMN because they joined the youth leadership training. Volunteering can also be an application of the lessons learned from the material, particularly the concept of networking. Otet Macapagal said “I am happy to volunteer. Even in little ways, I can practice the lessons I learned from the training. It is also a way of showing my gratitude not only to the ministry but also to the trainers and staff who are fun to be with.” Nan Peña said that, ”I want to be a blessing to the GYMN people by saying ‘yes’ to volunteering in simple ways.”

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Related Posts:

I, Volunteer

Keeping Volunteers

I have been exposed to GYMN and its various mission-related ministries about six years ago. In the past years, I have offered some services for GYMN like writing an article for the blog and designing the promotional poster for the tenth anniversary. During the tenth anniversary at Boracay, I finally decided to become a volunteer. I was so excited to finally be part of the GYMN family here in Metro Manila. My primary function is to support the GYMN-Asia staff. I identified three areas that I can help with, namely, the Youth Connections, the blog and the bulletin board. My classes are scheduled in the evening so I am usually at the GYMN office during weekdays. For the last two months, I have done many things that I was more than willing to do. I was able to mail a hundred of Youth Connections to the post office, lay-out the June issue of Youth Connections, design birthday cards for GYMN trainers and staff and facilitate in GYMN events like the recent Coffee Consultations.

So far, my most memorable experience as a volunteer was when Ate Ghie, GYMN Asia Director, asked me to accompany two visitors from US to go shopping at Greenhills and meet a friend at SM Mall of Asia. The two were actually staying at GYMN’s staff house and they needed a tour guide in the city. The following day, they invited me to go with them as they travelled around Manila’s historical churches, the Intramuros and the Smokey mountains. Before lunchtime, we went to Tagaytay City and witnessed the breathtaking view of the Taal Volcano while eating Filipino dishes at Dencio’s.

My studying here in Manila would be for the next two to three years. I hope that I will have fruitful and meaningful stay here in the big city. I am excited to continually support GYMN, to be part of a family that is global in scope and eternal in purpose.